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Just 60 days in the past when the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager admonished him over not reading a through-ball. During that period, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether his performances were a sign or the source for the side's wider issues.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. After the England international swept in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six games, find themselves only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to address. History, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, even as the victories have accumulated.

According to the data, twice all season has the side registered an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a side who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look curiously susceptible – but currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with rivals before hoping their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge they will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, will not continue to drilling the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be an alternative path in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. When Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.